Fire Emblem (universe)

The Fire Emblem (ファイアーエムブレム, Faiā Emuburemu) universe refers to the Smash Bros. series' collection of characters, stages, and properties that hail from Nintendo's and Intelligent System's little-known Fire Emblem series of fantasy tactical role-playing games. The long-running series was primarily a Japan-only series that Nintendo declined to localize abroad until the appearances of two of the series' characters, Marth and Roy, as playable characters in 2001's Super Smash Bros. Melee (originally planned to be Japan-only), sparked enough global interest and internet fame that the series began international distribution. Since then, the more recent protagonist Ike has received a similar starring role in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, replacing Roy. About 7 years later, Marth and Ike were joined as playable characters by Robin and Lucina in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.

Contents

Franchise description

Fire Emblem is a long-running series of tactical role-playing games developed by Intelligent Systems, with thirteen installments released thus far. However, it is somewhat similar to the Final Fantasy series in that it is not often that games in the series are set in the same fictional worlds and universes as each other. Five universes and chronologies within five fictional fantasy worlds have been depicted in the series thus far. The first Fire Emblem, whose subtitle translates as "Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light", was released in 1990 for the Famicom (Japanese NES) as one of the earliest games in the turn-based strategy genre, and it was one of the first such game to incorporate elements from role-playing games. This is the game that introduces the character prince Marth. Nintendo decided not to distribute the game abroad, however, feeling that it would not have been successful outside of Japan based on how the original Final Fantasy for NES did not sell well abroad at the time, a heavily ironic concept under today's circumstances and its amazing popularity since Final Fantasy VII.

The next five games released under the name Fire Emblem would not be distributed internationally either. Fire Emblem Gaiden, the last game ever to be released exclusively for the Famicom in 1993, was a side-story to the first game set in the same fictional world, but it took place on a different continent and was therefore only tangentially related to the first game (Marth did not make a return appearance, though his sword, Falchion, did). The third game, Fire Emblem: Monsho no Nazo (Secret of the Crest, also translated as Mystery of the Emblem), released in 1994 for the Super Famicom (Japanese SNES), was both a retelling of the first game and a continuation of that universe's story concerning Marth. The fourth game, Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (Genealogy of Holy War), released for Super Famicom in 1996, was the first to introduce a separate Fire Emblem-style universe, and the fifth game, Fire Emblem: Thracia 776, the last commercial game to be released for Super Famicom in 1999, is a midquel taking place in between parts of the previous game to expand on that universe. All these games have become choice import titles for emulation players.

When Super Smash Bros. Melee was being developed, Japanese fans requested that Marth be featured as a playable character, and HAL Laboratory obliged. Intelligent Systems was also developing the sixth Fire Emblem series game, Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade, released on Game Boy Advance in 2002, and it introduced another separate Fire Emblem universe, with the swordsman Roy as the main character. It was decided that Roy be included as a playable character alongside Marth in SSBM as a promotional preview character for the game. Nintendo was initially apprehensive of keeping the characters in the game when it came time to release it in the West because the characters were believed to have appeal only to Japanese gamers, but enough Western players previewing the game approved of the characters that they were kept in the game. Melee's U.S. release and the subsequent introduction of the Fire Emblem franchise through the game prompted international attention to the franchise, and Fire Emblem titles from installment seven onwards were released internationally and were each met with success. Melee can be credited with indirectly making the franchise famous.

With Fire Emblem now an international game franchise, Intelligent Systems followed up on the sixth game with the seventh game in the series as a prequel, named simply "Fire Emblem" but often referred to by its Japanese subtitle, Rekka no Ken (Blazing Sword). It was released in North America in late 2003 and depicted the father of Roy, Lord Eliwood, son of Marquess Pherae, in an epic story taking place five years before Roy is born and twenty years before Roy's adventure in The Binding Blade takes place. It was designed with introducing North American and European gamers to the Fire Emblem-style of tactical play, so the first ten chapters serve as a tutorial storyline and the 20+ chapters that follow are the main game. After this game, subsequent Fire Emblem titles have been released internationally at a standard rate, including 2005's Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones for Game Boy Advance, which is a stand-alone world starring twin nobles Ephraim and Eirika; Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance for GameCube, depicting a racial conflict between humans ("Beorc") and transformable demi-humans ("Laguz") and starring a young mercenary named Ike, and it was the first game to feature full-motion video cinema sequences and voice acting, contributing to the majority of its publicity and popularity. Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, the sequel to Path of Radiance was released on Wii, featuring Ike once again, but primarily starring Micaiah and her companion Sothe, who was also introduced in Path of Radiance. The next installment is Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon for Nintendo DS, which is another retelling of Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, starring Marth in his first official appearance in a Fire Emblem game localized and released in North America,following this was Fire Emblem: Shin Monshō no Nazo ~Hikari to Kage no Eiyū~ (New Mystery of the Emblem ~Heroes of Light and Shadow~) which was an enhanced remake of Book 2 of the original Mystery of the Emblem, this entry was the first in the series since Fire Emblem to not receive an international release. The next game in the franchise was Fire Emblem: Awakening.

The game formula consistent among Fire Emblem titles is a departure from other tactical role-playing games; whereas in games like Final Fantasy Tactics, where the emphasis is on equipping weapons and armor on each unit and using area-of-effect magic spells and skills to affect multiple units, Fire Emblem games place emphasis on positioning stronger and weaker units relative to each other on the field and preserving the life of each individual unit, with weapons (that each has a durability meter that lowers after each attack and breaks after the meter is empty) and healing items being mostly the only items in each unit's inventory. A hallmark of the series is that whenever a unit falls in battle, regardless of how important a character that unit is to the storyline, that character is gone for the rest of the game, which can result in harder difficulty and missed plot developments, and it's an automatic game-over if the game's main hero dies. Since a general objective to each Fire Emblem installment is to keep the dozens and dozens of game characters that comprise the unit stable alive, many players reset the game whenever an ally is slain. This makes for a game series that is intense and hardcore, and is therefore popular with tactical players.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee

The case of Fire Emblem in Super Smash Bros. Melee is odd; it features two Fire Emblem characters, their respective game trophy sets, appropriate musical and sound selections in the sound test, and absolutely nothing else, whereas other franchises additionally have stages, items, and more trophies as well, giving reason to classify Fire Emblem as being a "bonus" franchise in the game. There is evidence that a Fire Emblem stage was planned, however; hidden in the game's debug menu is a stage titled AKANEIA, named after the fictional continent where Marth's story takes place, but it was apparently never designed or was removed because selecting it from the menu will crash the game. Additionally, at the time of Melee's release, no Fire Emblem title had been released outside of Japan, making Marth and Roy the first Japan-only characters to appear in the Super Smash Bros. series.

Characters

Marth: The prince of the kingdom of Altea, Marth is forced to become an exile in the neighboring nation of Talis when the kingdom of Dolhr attacks Altea, killing his father and taking his sister hostage. He embarks on a quest with help of his various allies to find the sacred sword of light known as Falchion and the Fire Emblem shield, as well as restoring the kingdom and rescuing his sister. When he does find the two pieces of equipment, he takes the fight to the driving force behind the Dolhr invasion, the evil priest Gharnef and his resurrection of the dark dragon, Medeus. He slays them and rescues both his sister and the continent. As a Melee fighter, Marth is widely considered top-tier for his effective blend of speedy and powerful swordsmanship, with an effective "sweetspot" at the tip of his Falchion, and he is the favorite character of "King of Smash" Ken Hoang. His effectiveness as a fighter as well as his decidedly bishounen character design have contributed to his status as one of Melee's most popular characters, and quite a bit of misconception across the internet, being known more as a "vain pretty boy" rather than how he is portrayed in his games.

Roy: The star of the sixth Fire Emblem, The Binding Blade, Roy is the 15-year-old son of Eliwood, one of the stars of the game's prequel that was the first game in the series to be localized and distributed internationally. He is upstanding and idealistic like other Fire Emblem main protagonists, and is also rather perceptive and cunning for his age. When the militant nation of Bern wages war on the league of nations called the League of Lycia, which Roy's Pherae is a part of, and when Eliwood falls ill, he is called in to lead Pherae's armies. He ends up journeying across the continent of Elibe on a quest to defeat Bern's King Zephiel and stop his mysterious thirst for world domination, an effort that will eventually avert a catastrophic war between humans and dragons. As a Melee fighter, Roy is a slower clone of Marth, but his attacks are more powerful at the center of his blade rather than the tip. He is made to be a good character to use against opponents in single-player mode, but he is lower-tier than Marth because he lacks Marth's vital advantages. Even though Roy is considered low tier by many, his fanbase is still quite large. He is mispotrayed by fans as a "hyperactive pyromaniac".

Music

33: Fire Emblem: A medley of two Fire Emblem tracks, the first of which is the "character recruitment" music in Shadow Dragon, Monsho no Nazo and Fire Emblem (Rekka no Ken), and after some piano-based music, the second tune is the official Fire Emblem series theme. This is heard as a secondary track on Hyrule: Temple and is often heard accompanying Marth and Roy in Single-player mode. In Fire Emblem (Rekka no Ken), this song is used as a track called 'Together, We Ride!'

48: Fire Emblem Team Victory: The victory fanfare of Marth and Roy is the last line from the aforementioned "character recruitment" theme, and can be heard as the last line in "33: Fire Emblem," before the music loops back to the beginning.

Full Trophy List

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Perhaps in response to Fire Emblem gaining popularity worldwide, the series is visibly represented in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Marth returns, with Ike as the new Fire Emblem playable as well as a starter character. Roy does not return as a playable character, although he does return as a sticker.

Characters

Ike: The main character of Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, Ike is shown in his Ranger outfit from the beginning of his first game. He is very obviously a swordsman, but unlike most sword fighters in the series, he focuses less on speed and more on power. He is able to use his Aether skill as a special ability and a recover move, which involves him throwing his sword into the air, jumping up and catching it, then bringing the sword, crashing down on his opponent. His Final Smash, Great Aether, is an enhanced version of Aether. His fanbase is one of the strongest of the Super Smash Bros. internet fame, and his portrayal by fans is incredibly accurate, barring several mistakes in daring and sexual preferences.

Marth: The original Fire Emblem lord returns, once again as a secret fighter. While his moveset (and mispotrayal) is mostly unchanged, his Shield Breaker has been altered from a slashing maneuver to a stabbing move. Marth's Final Smash, Critical Hit, is the most powerful Final Smash of the game, inflicting 60% damage and KO opponents instantly.

On the final character select screen (after all characters are unlocked), the Fire Emblem characters occupy the eighth column alongside the EarthBound characters (both of these series were originally Japan-only RPG series that later saw at least one entry released in the West).

Assist Trophy

Lyn: A major character from Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken. She charges her blade, then vanishes and reappears while slashing an opponent that is the closest to her.

Stage

Castle Siege: Contrary to much speculation when the stage was first shown in trailers, this stage does not represent any specific Fire Emblem title, but rather the series as a whole. The stage takes place on top of a castle under attack. As time passes, the roof will collapse and fighters will be able to do battle in the castle's interior, which will feature destructible statues. After yet more time passes, the ground will give way and players will fall into the underground, which consists of a dark cavern filled with lava. After some time in the underground, the locale will reset to the top of the castle again and the cycle begins anew.

Music

Fire Emblem Theme - An orchestrated version of the Fire Emblem theme, because the series is now worldwide, the song is made with Latin lyrics, performed by the same group behind the main theme. It is used on the Castle Siege stage.

With Mila's Divine Protection (Celica Map 1) - Taken from Fire Emblem Gaiden. It is used on the Castle Siege stage.

Attack - A merger of two battle themes taken from Fire Emblem (Rekka no Ken), the first title of the series to be localized. It is the theme of the Castle Siege stage.

Preparing to Advance - A pre-battle scene song taken from Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones. It is used on the Castle Siege stage.

Winning Road - Roy's Hope - Taken from Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade, the title which Roy originates from. It is used on the Castle Siege stage.

Shadow Dragon Medley - A medley of various songs from the original Fire Emblem, Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light. It is used on the Castle Siege stage.

Ike's Theme - The track "Eternal Bond", taken directly from Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. It is used on the Castle Siege stage.

Against the Dark Knight - The battle theme when facing The Black Knight in Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance. It is used on the Castle Siege stage.

Crimean Army Sortie - Music played in later maps, taken from Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance. It is used on the Castle Siege stage.

Power-Hungry Fool - Oliver's theme, taken from Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance. It is used on the Castle Siege stage.

Victory is Near - The near victory battle map music, taken from Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance. It is used on the Castle Siege stage. This song is also played during Ike's Classic Mode credits. Must be unlocked before usable.

Fire Emblem (Melee) - A rehashed version of the song which appeared in Melee. It is used on the Castle Siege stage. This song is also played during Marth's Classic Mode credits. Must be unlocked before usable.

Fire Emblem series victory - Derived from the main Fire Emblem theme heard in all the games.

Note: "Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken" was released as "Fire Emblem" outside of Japan. Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi was translated as "Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light" in SSBB, and Fuuin no Tsurugi was translated as "The Binding Blade".

Masterpiece

Fire Emblem: Monsho no Nazo ("Secret of the Emblem") is a playable Virtual Console Demo game in Japanese version of Brawl. It stars Marth and was the first Fire Emblem game released to the Virtual Console in Japan. It is not present in the North American release, nor is it likely to get an adaptation overseas.

Mystery of the Emblem Medley: A medley of tracks from Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo and Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem ~ Heroes of Light and Shadow, used in Coliseum in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Meeting Theme Medley: Medley of recruitment themes from the Fire Emblem series, used in Coliseum in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

With Mila's Divine Protection: Borrowed from Brawl, Celica's first map theme from Fire Emblem Gaiden used in Castle Siege in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and featured in the sound test in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.

Games with elements from or in the Super Smash Bros. series

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light

Marth was included as an unlockable playable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee. His inclusion, along with Roy's, gave the series the worldwide exposure that led to the decision to release future Fire Emblem installments globally.

Two songs from Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light can be heard on Brawl' Castle Siege:

Fire Emblem Theme

Shadow Dragon Medley

A further third song, The Chosen Ones, was intended to be included, but was removed.

Marth returns as an unlockable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In this game, he has a Final Smash called Critical Hit, based on a move from the game that does triple the damage inflicted, often killing enemies with one hit.

Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade

The main hero, Roy, was included in Super Smash Bros. Melee as an unlockable playable character, to promote the game's then-upcoming release in Japan. His inclusion, along with Marth's, gave the series the worldwide exposure that led to the decision to release all future Fire Emblem installments globally.

The song Winning Road - Roy's Hope is one of the songs that can be heard on Castle Siege in Brawl. In The Binding Blade, this song was used to signal that the player had only a few enemies left to defeat before claiming victory. A slightly modified version of this song also appears in Fire Emblem as well, with the same function.

Appearing stickers from Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade are:

Roy

Lilina

Deke

Rutoga

Fire Emblem (game)

Lyn, one of the main characters of the game, appears in Brawl as an Assist Trophy. She charges her sword, the Mani Katti, then disappears and reappears near an enemy, slashing them (resembling her critical hit animation from Fire Emblem). This attack is amazingly powerful and accurate, even against a moving or airborne foe. It can also hit edge grabbing. There is no known outside range for her to hit in, and some testing needs to be done. She can KO at percents as low as 32%, and can only be avoided with a well timed airdodge or roll.

The song Attack is one on the songs that can be heard on Castle Siege.

Appearing stickers from Fire Emblem are:

Eliwood

Hector

Lyn

Ninian

Guy

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

The game's main character, Ike, is a playable character, a trophy, and a sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In addition, the characters King Ashnard and the Black Knight are Trophies and Stickers. Mist and Greil, Ike's sister and father respectively, also appear as stickers.

Its worth noting that when Sakurai was posting what ideas caught his interest, Mia, Soren, and the Black Knight were under review for being playable characters in Brawl, as well as Ike.

Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn

While Ike appears with his Path of Radiance model and outfit, he is still one of the main characters in Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. Sothe, The Black Knight, Micaiah, and Queen Elincia are major characters in the game, and appear as Trophies. Ike in his Radiant Dawn attire, Micaiah, and Sothe are all stickers.

Additionally, Ike appeared with his Radiant Dawn model and outfit in Super Smash Bros for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U.

Fire Emblem: Awakening

Two of the game's main characters, Lucina and Robin, are playable characters in Super Smash Bros for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U. Chrom, the main hero of the game, appear as Robin's Final Smash. In addition, Tiki appears as a trophy. One of the 3DS stages, Arena Ferox, originates from this game as well.

Trivia

Fire Emblem is the first series to have more than one playable characters in the Super Smash Bros. series which didn't have any playable characters in the original Super Smash Bros., the second series being Kid Icarus.

Marth and Roy were planned to be Japan-only characters in Super Smash Bros Melee. When the game was being previewed for beta testing, enough Western players previewing the game approved of the characters that it was decided by Nintendo of America that they be included in the international releases of the game. This decision came wise as they have been immensely popular among Western players.

Fire Emblem is the only series in Melee to not have any stages. AKANEIA likely would have served this purpose. It was then a "bonus" franchise, as it had only playable characters and their trophies and one song.

Tharja from Fire Emblem Awakening was originally going to appear as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. Her trophy appeared in the ESRB leak prior to Japanese release. When trophy data was mined by hackers, no trophy data of Tharja was present, implying that she was removed from the trophy collection prior to the game's Japanese release, most likely to avoid preclusion of the E10+ rating, as Tharja was deemed too suggestive.